Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-04

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

 

The diagram below shows how a biofuel called ethanol is produced.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Student answer (Band 6.5)

The diagram illustrates the process in the form of a cycle for the manufacturing of ethanol.

Overall, the process starts from the growing of trees and ends at the consumption of ethanol in transportation before the cycle begins again. It mainly consists of three main stages: growing plants and trees for ethanol, then getting ethanol through a chemical process, and in the last stage, that ethanol is used in vehicles.

Firstly, plants and trees are grown by farmers, and when they become mature, they are harvested. Then, trees pass through trees preprocessing to convert them into tiny fragments. Cellulose is extracted from tiny fragments for the making of ethanol. In the chemical process, cellulose is passed through different chemical processes that extract the right sugars from it. After sugar extraction, microbes are added to convert the chemical into useful fuel: ethanol.

In the end, ethanol is used in different vehicles for consumption. Carbon dioxide is emitted from vehicles in the form of smoke in the air, which again becomes part of the environment. Trees inhale carbon dioxide fromair and the cycle for the production of ethanol is started again .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully identifies the main stages of the ethanol production cycle. You have clearly outlined the process from the cultivation of plants to the final consumption in vehicles and the subsequent environmental cycle. The overview is concise and captures the essence of the diagram. To reach a higher band, ensure that you explicitly mention the key inputs and outputs at each stage, such as the specific role of 'microbes' or the conversion of 'cellulose' into 'sugars' more precisely. The description is accurate and covers all parts of the task well, providing a logical summary of the provided visual information.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is well-organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a concluding summary. The use of cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Then', 'After', and 'In the end' helps to guide the reader through the process chronologically. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different stages of the cycle. The progression of ideas is logical, and the referencing is generally clear. To improve, you could vary your cohesive devices further to avoid a slightly mechanical feel, perhaps by using more sophisticated linking phrases to connect the chemical processes more fluidly.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process, including terms like 'manufacturing', 'harvested', 'preprocessing', 'cellulose', and 'emitted'. The vocabulary is generally accurate and appropriate for the context of a process description. There are a few minor issues, such as 'trees preprocessing' which is slightly awkward phrasing. To achieve a higher band, try to incorporate more precise technical collocations related to industrial processes, such as 'break down' or 'fermentation', which would demonstrate a more sophisticated control of the topic-specific vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are clear and easy to follow. There are some minor grammatical slips, such as 'trees pass through trees preprocessing' (repetitive) and 'fromair' (missing space). Additionally, the phrase 'the cycle for the production of ethanol is started again' could be more naturally expressed in the active voice. While there are some errors, they do not impede communication. To improve, focus on refining your use of articles and ensuring consistent subject-verb agreement throughout your complex sentences.

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